Investigation Uncovers Community Frustration with RCMP Amid Crime Wave in Dawson Creek, B.C.

A recent investigation by The Fifth Estate, led by journalists Timothy Sawa, Lisa Ellenwood, and Mark Kelley, has brought to light the rising tide of violent crime in Dawson Creek, British Columbia—a small northern community known for the Alaska Highway’s Mile Zero. The probe revealed untold details about cases involving murders and disappearances, igniting widespread dissatisfaction with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) within the community.

Residents of Dawson Creek, a town with a population just over 12,400, have been rattled by a worrying increase in violent incidents, including the unresolved slayings of 11 people in three years. The investigation has explored links between unsolved cases, offering fresh insights into connections and potential motives behind the crimes.

Among the primary figures in the investigation is John Ominayak, a man living in a tent encampment on the outskirts of Dawson Creek due to a lack of employment and housing opportunities following his release from jail. Ominayak has been accused by some of murdering two people in a local trailer park and being involved in the disappearance of two Cree women, despite asserting his innocence. “I had nothing to do with anybody’s death,” Ominayak told The Fifth Estate.

In 2023, two Cree women—cousins Renee Didier and Daralyn Supernant—disappeared mysteriously, adding to the string of violent occurrences. The investigation disclosed that Daralyn was allegedly witness to a double murder in the Mile Zero Trailer Park, a case that remains unresolved as of today.

Dawson Creek’s media landscape has also been affected by the crime surge. With two local newspapers having shut down, news coverage depends on a lone CTV affiliate, making it challenging for serious crimes to gain national attention. Michael Popove, the news director for CJDC-TV, expressed concern about the lack of broader media coverage and the fear pervading the community.

RCMP Superintendent Sanjaya Wijayakoon, overseeing major crime investigations in rural B.C., stated that the community should not fear for their daily safety, indicating that a small group of approximately 50 people are responsible for much of the violence. However, this does not address mysterious cases like that of Cole Hosack, a 24-year-old man who vanished after a New Year’s Eve celebration.

Families of the victims, including Julie Hosack, Cole’s mother, have voiced dissatisfaction with police communication and action, raising concerns over potential biases in the investigation of Indigenous cases like those of the missing Cree women. Wijayakoon acknowledged these concerns but assured The Fifth Estate that racial bias does not influence the investigative process.

Despite the fear and frustration, there are signs of improvement, as violent crime rates have begun to decline. Hope persists among Dawson Creek residents and the families of those who have gone missing or been murdered that sustainable solutions and justice will lead to a safer community.